Tanya Fox, editor, and Brooke Smith, managing editor, are the editorial team behind CardMaker magazine. When not reviewing design submissions and planning future issues of the magazine and pattern books, they can often be found exploring websites for inspiration and visiting their favorite local coffee shop.

They hope you’ll visit the blog often as they share card-making tips, designer features, paper-crafting techniques, project inspiration and a peek at life inside the CardMaker office.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started creating cards:

I live in San Antonio, Texas, with my husband, younger son, a boxer dog and three crazy cats. Our eldest son is starting college this year! We’re a family of avid gamers, both online and tabletop.

Making things with paper is one of my favorite past-times. I got started creating cards through scrapbooking when I realized I didn’t have the time nor the attention span to do full-page layouts, let alone complete a whole book. I love to quill too, and have been since 2004, so card-sized projects are perfect. I can start and finish them in between juggling family life and other responsibilities. To me, handmade cards are a great way to share a little joy with others.

Here are a few of Niki’s favorite cards she’s created:

I love simple cards, especially if they have a little artsy flair to them with paint or other multimedia treatment. This is one of my all-time favorites. The background is a watercolor wash, as is the color on the butterflies. The overall card has a light, airy feel and I love the contrast of the sentiment against the pastels.

Holiday-themed cards make me happy. I like this one in particular because it was a little out of my comfort zone. I usually make mostly white cards with bright colors. A friend of mine posted her technique for wood that I had to try, and I asked her if she minded me using it on my blog. Although the photo doesn’t quite catch it, the weathered wood background is fabulous in person!

Fun Facts:

My favorite junk food is cake—anything with a pile of icing on it, actually.

If I could take a vacation anywhere, I would go to Newfoundland to visit family.

My favorite movie/television show is NCIS.

I’d love to learn how to do calligraphy or brush lettering.

The best concert I’ve ever attended was Korn with my husband.

I’m never without my planner and iPhone.

10 Responses to Blog Team Member Spotlight: Niki Coursey

Your cards are beautiful and each so very different. I am a pastel person at heart but the weathered wood was outstanding. Just how did you do it? Just signed up to follow you by email. Look forward to your blogs.